Blackpool dad achieves dream of becoming an architect

A Blackpool student who became a dad during his studies is celebrating after achieving his childhood dream of becoming an architect.

Keith Tasker has spent the last six years training for the profession and was able to toast his success with his wife Emily and 18-month-old daughter Brooke at his University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) graduation ceremony.

The 26-year-old is part of the University of Central Lancashire’s (UCLan) first Masters in Architecture cohort to graduate and has already secured a job with a local firm Alan Jones Chartered Surveyors.

Keith, who successfully managed to juggle full-time study with fatherhood and working part-time for Alan Jones for the last few years, commented: “I’ve wanted to be an architect since I was 6-years-old and asked for straws and Sellotape for Christmas so I could make things, so realising this ambition is a dream come true.

“I’ve wanted to be an architect since I was 6-years-old and asked for straws and Sellotape for Christmas so I could make things, so realising this ambition is a dream come true.”

“It’s been difficult at times trying to fit everything in and of course becoming a dad in the middle of my course meant I had lots to juggle but it’s all been worth it. I’ve had a lot of support from my wife and course tutors.”

The former Hodgson High School pupil has to complete a further year of on-the-job training before he is a qualified architect but working for Alan Jones part-time since leaving school means the designer has already made his mark on the Blackpool landscape.

He said: “I worked on the designs for Flamingo’s Nightclub which I’m really proud of and more recently I’ve also helped to design a house in Lytham which is now being built. It’s a great feeling to see a project through from conception to construction and know I’ve put my stamp on it.”

Keith has also put plans in place already to get two companies off the ground. He is currently setting up a building extension company called Improve It which primarily uses sustainable materials and he is also looking for investment into another sustainable housing project called Livsstil Homes.